Anyone going on the Norwegian Jewel in November 2013. I've just booked our cruise and can't wait (although we have a year). I've cruised before on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, but never on Norwegian, and never out of New Orleans. Can someone please answer some questions for me:

1. How are the balcony staterooms on NCL?

2. Has anyone driven from Alabama to New Orleans to the port? Trying to decide if we should leave early (the day before) and stay overnight in New Orleans (hotels are pricy), or should we just leave early in the morning and drive through?